The City Commission of Abilene, Kan., passed a resolution in March pushing the Eisenhower Memorial Commission and others with oversight over the project, now 15 years in the making, to “take such actions as may be prudent and necessary to facilitate the construction.”

Unfortunately for Abilene — the World War II hero’s final resting place and the site of his presidential library — the EMC must clear huge financial and bureaucratic obstacles before any building can begin on the 4-acre site just off the National Mall in Southwest D.C.

The estimated price tag for the project, between project costs and operational costs, stands at $143.9 million, according to the EMC’s fiscal 2015 budget request. After the fiscal 2014 spending plan zeroed out construction funding and halved the EMC’s operating budget, the commission is requesting $19.3 million for construction and $2 million for commission operations. The EMC claims those resources, plus previously allocated funds, would be sufficient to complete the first phase of the memorial’s construction.

To dedicate the memorial in 2017, the commission has announced a private fundraising goal of $35 million. In January, appropriators asked the EMC to give an update on those efforts. So far, it has secured roughly $1.7 million in gifts and pledges, with approximately $3 million in outstanding asks and proposals.

Fundraisers have reached out to roughly 200 individual prospects, focusing on securing major gifts from donors in Georgia, Kansas and California. Between these three states, fundraisers have “built a pipeline of prospects with a giving capacity estimated at over $15,000,000,” the fiscal 2015 budget request states.

Achieving shovel-ready status also requires the EMC to secure approval for Gehry’s design from various federal agencies. The U.S. Commission of Fine Arts has given its preliminary approval, and continues to recommend changes necessary for final approval. The National Capital Planning Commission has so far declined to give preliminary approval, but the EMC is on the agenda for its April 3 meeting.

Though the Eisenhower family has been critical of the design, especially depictions of the president’s Kansas boyhood, the leaders of Abilene approve. Their resolution notes that the design would highlight “all phases” of Ike’s life.

Abilene Mayor John F. Ray said the city was happy that the memorial honored Eisenhower’s roots.

“One of the proudest things we can say is that Ike called Abilene home,” he said in a statement circulated by the EMC.

Abilene City Manager David B. Dillner said the city appreciates the importance of its “favorite son” to the nation. “As the memorial moves forward, and after its completion, we will continue to be a partner in promoting Eisenhower to the world.”

I am not sure where the reporter is getting her numbers. The budget justification says the Eisenhower Commission has spent $1.15 million in fundraising [p. 20]. It reports that they’ve received only $450,000 in contributions (!) and have $275,000 in obligations [p. 34]. Does that $1.15 million total include those obligations? If not, their fundraising deficit is even greater than $700,000.

The Eisenhower Commission blames the pathetic fundraising result on the controversy [p. 33], the Eisenhower family’s refusal to aid in fundraising [p. 30], and and “unbalanced and misinformed media coverage” [p. 34]. Of course, the Eisenhower family’s refusal to help is all the stronger reason for thinking that fundraising will never be successful.

Last, the Commission’s fundraising plan emphasizes offering donors’ on-site recognition in return for their donations [p.33]. Such donor recognition is illegal under the Commemorative Works Act.

Bob Stauskas

Since liberty is defined as the absence of coercion, its effects are only visible through the goods, services, and other manifestations of the individual potential unleashed by it.

G21

Whereas liberty offers freedom for all, collectivism offers freedom only for those deemed, by the collectivists themselves, to be “the good and the wise”.

James Edward

I too am a “native son” of Abilene so maybe I’m biased, but to me Eisenhower belongs on the top ten Presidents list.
I’m all for the monument provided no public funds are used.
His signature accomplishment and legacy as President is the interstate highway system that fuels our economy.

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About Hill Blotter

Campus Reporter Bridget Bowman (@bridgetbhc) keeps her eye what's happening on and around the Hill. She covers local elections, the Capitol Hill community, House and Senate administration, legislative agencies and congressional oversight over the District of Columbia.

Leadership Reporter Hannah Hess (@ha_nah_nah) covers law enforcement and ethics investigations, acting as a watchdog of both chambers of Congress. Her beat includes Capitol Police and the House and Senate sergeants-at-arms.